TEXARKANA, Texas - A man accused of creating mayhem in a local convenience store earlier this year pleaded not guilty to seven felonies this week in Bowie County.
Ashley Neal McClanahan, 40, appeared before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell for arraignment at the Bi-State Justice Building. Assistant Public Defender Clayton Haas entered pleas of not guilty on McClanahan's behalf to charges of aggravated robbery, three counts of assault on a public servant, two counts of harassment of a public servant and criminal mischief with damage between $2,500 and $30,000.
Tidwell scheduled McClanahan to return to court July 1 for a pretrial hearing. He is being held in the Bowie County jail with bails totaling $340,000.
He was arrested Feb. 1 after allegedly going on a rampage inside a convenience store in Texarkana, Texas, at the intersection of Texas Boulevard and College Drive that reportedly began a short time before with an interaction with a female police officer on Texas Boulevard.
McClanahan allegedly struck Officer Jerrika Weaver shortly before heading into the store, according to a probable cause affidavit. Weaver was responding to a call regarding a suspicious person.
McClanahan allegedly entered the Exxon convenience store at 3300 Texas Blvd., ran behind the counter and began rummaging through the purse of the employee.
McClanahan allegedly struck Weaver again as she attempted to arrest him.
Weaver briefly retreated before attempting to gain control of McClanahan using a police-issued baton before McClanahan allegedly hit her in the head. As McClanahan allegedly attempted to grab a register from the store counter, the employee attempted to stop him but was unsuccessful and it was tossed to the floor.
McClanahan allegedly pulled down the cigarette display before turning toward the female employee who was trapped between the counter and items McClanahan had thrown around. McClanahan allegedly lunged at the employee and took her cell phone from her hands.
McClanahan allegedly struck the clerk with items from the counter as Weaver attempts to shoot him again with her pepper spray gun.
Several civilians unsuccessfully attempted to assist Weaver in getting cuffs on McClanahan. Weaver next evacuated the store as civilians warned that McClanahan has a knife.
A knife was later recovered from the scene.
McClanahan allegedly retreated to the store bathroom as more officers came to assist. Several more rounds of pepper spray were deployed in an attempt to bring McClanahan under control.
McClanahan finally went to his knees after being struck in the face with pepper spray. He continued to fight with officers as they attempted to put cuffs on him and wrestle him into a patrol car.
The damage to the store was extensive.
If convicted of aggravated robbery, McClanahan faces five to 99 years or life in prison. Each of the three assault charges and each of the two harassment charges are punishable by two to 10 years in prison. If found guilty of criminal mischief, McClanahan faces six months to two years in a state jail.